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Community Corner

Belmont Resident to Star in "Annie"

Needham Community Theatre will present the classic family musical Annie from November 22 - December 1 in the recently renovated Carleton Auditorium at Newman Elementary School, 1155 Central Avenue in Needham.  The beloved musical, currently enjoying a revival on Broadway, brings to life and laughter little orphan Annie, her friends at the orphanage, the horrible Miss Hannigan, and billionaire Daddy Warbucks, and includes such classic songs as “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life.”

Starring in the role of Annie is Belmont’s Mary Galstian, an eighth grader at Chenery Middle School.  “Annie is one of the most beloved musicals and it’s a privilege to be a part of this show,” says Galstian, who especially loves her character’s feisty personality and beautiful ballads. The group’s production of Annie features a cast of 36 players, who come from over ten towns in the Boston area.  It’s a family show, not only in its content but also its cast--many of Annie’s orphans actually have a parent performing on the same stage.  In fact, there are no fewer than seven parent/child groups in the cast.

Needham’s Mike Cooperman, who is performing on stage with his daughter Shira, says, “There is something really satisfying about working together with a team for two and a half months to put together a great production.  I was never involved in theater when I was younger, and now I'm 38 and part of a great cast that includes my 9-year-old daughter. That is something really special to me.”

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“After being away from the theater for twenty years, I feel as though I have been welcomed back to the stage with open arms,” says fellow Needham resident Richard Crossman, who shaved his head to play the bald Daddy Warbucks.  “I consider myself so fortunate to have found such a fun group to work with that I am asking myself why didn't I try doing this sooner.”

Annie will run from Nov. 22, the weekend before Thanksgiving, through Dec.1, making it the perfect end to the Thanksgiving weekend.  For tickets or more information, please visit www.needhamtheatre.org or call 781-444-4740.

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